Recipes
Indulge in this collection of pistachio desserts, where recipes showcase the nut’s decadent flavor with whole pistachios, pistachio butter or pistachio pudding.
After a long stretch of Nutella-everything, pistachios are finally taking over as the nutty dessert flavor. Pistachio desserts are certainly not a new concept (Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines have been baking with pistachios for centuries). But thanks to the nut’s rich, decadent flavor and pretty pastel hue, pistachio desserts have finally made their way into America’s mainstream, bringing classic and new pistachio recipes to our kitchens. And we can’t stop baking.
Ready to try a few pistachio desserts of your own? Our collection includes all our favorites, from pistachio cheesecakes to cookies, ice cream, and plenty of cakes and quick breads. Some showcase pistachio as the main flavor, while others pair it with fruits, chocolate, cream and even cheese. One of the biggest catalysts of the pistachio wave is the rise of Dubai chocolate: a chocolate bar stuffed with pistachio cream and kataifi (shredded phyllo pastry). We, of course, include a few of our Dubai chocolate-flavored desserts, like Rice Krispies, parfaits, cheesecake bars and a decadent layer cake. There’s a lot of variety here!
We made sure there was more than one way to enjoy the pistachio flavor in these treats. Some of these pistachio dessert recipes use chopped pistachios, while others get their flavor from pistachio butter, pistachio cream or pistachio pudding (or a mix of a few in a very good pistachio-rich recipe). Ready to enjoy this luxe ingredient? Pick from one of the pistachio desserts below and let’s get baking!
1/17
Recipes
Creamy Pistachio Cheesecake
From the Recipe Creator:
This pistachio cheesecake uses pistachio butter to flavor the decadent and nutty filling. Extra chopped pistachios on top contrast the creaminess with a little crunch! —Sue Draheim, Waterford, Wisconsin
2/17
Recipes
Dubai Chocolate Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
This Dubai chocolate cake recipe is inspired by the trending Dubai chocolate bars. Two layers of moist chocolate cake are filled with a mixture of toasted kataifi, tahini and pistachio cream, just like the chocolate bar. —Molly Allen, Hood River, Oregon
3/17
Recipes
Pistachio Cheesecake Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
This pistachio cheesecake is nutty, creamy and just the right amount of sweet. A full cup of pistachio butter and chopped nuts provide crunch and the beloved flavor in every bite! —Margaret Knoebel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
4/17
Recipes
Pistachio Ice Cream
From the Recipe Creator:
This pistachio ice cream is the perfect indulgent treat to enjoy at the end of the day. Heavy whipping cream, milk and vanilla extract create a creamy, sweet and rich base, while crunchy pistachio pieces give a subtle nutty and earthy flavor. —Julie Andrews, Rockford, Michigan
5/17
Recipes
Dubai Chocolate Cheesecake Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
This dessert takes the flavors and textures of a Dubai chocolate bar and turns them into dreamy, creamy cheesecake bars. Even if you haven’t tried Dubai chocolate before, this recipe is worth a go! —Molly Allen, Hood River, Oregon
6/17
Recipes
Rice Kheer
From the Recipe Creator:
Kheer is similar to rice pudding. Its base is made with milk, rice and a sweetener, but cardamom, rose water, nuts and raisins are popular additions. —Julie Andrews, Rockford, Michigan
7/17
Recipes
Pistachio Pudding Dessert
From the Recipe Creator:
This homey layered dessert starts with a scrumptious pistachio short crust that is topped with a creamy and airy cream cheese layer, a plush pudding layer, fluffy whipped topping and a shower of crunchy pistachios. It’s a great make-ahead treat for parties or holiday gatherings. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
8/17
Recipes
Italian Spumoni Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
These festive cookies look and taste as if they’re made from scratch. But refrigerated cookie dough makes them a cinch to create. We’ll never tell your secret! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
9/17
Recipes
Dubai Chocolate Rice Krispies Treats
From the Recipe Creator:
These layered Cocoa Krispies have a filling just like a Dubai chocolate bar: with pistachio cream, kataifi and pistachios. —Molly Allen, Hood River, Oregon
10/17
Recipes
Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti
From the Recipe Creator:
This tasty biscotti is studded with dried cranberries and crunchy pistachios. It’s delicious with tea or coffee. —Diane Gruber, Sioux City, Iowa
11/17
Recipes
Pistachio Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
This wonderful pistachio cookie recipe is fun to make and everyone will be impressed by the pretty green coloring. It is one of my favorite holiday cookies. —Pat Habiger, Spearville, Kansas
12/17
Recipes
Pistachio Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
Mom is well-known for her holiday cookies, candies and cakes. This delicious dessert starts conveniently with a cake mix and instant pudding. You’re sure to get requests for second helpings when you serve it. —Becky Brunette, Minneapolis, Minnesota
13/17
Recipes
Dubai Chocolate Latte
From the Recipe Creator:
This Dubai chocolate latte recipe is based on the viral chocolate bar. Specialty coffee lovers are in for a treat with this recipe that features a nutty cold foam and a crunchy topping. —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
14/17
Recipes
Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Parfaits
From the Recipe Creator:
Dubai chocolate strawberries are a viral internet sensation, and our version of the trendy dessert features a simple three-ingredient pistachio mousse, kataifi, chocolate sauce and plenty of fresh strawberries. —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
15/17
Recipes
Pistachio Muffins
From the Recipe Creator:
These muffins are sweet, moist and tasty! Kids love the color, and the smell while they bake is intoxicating. —Allen Hough, Syracuse, New York
16/17
Recipes
Biscuits de Fromage
From the Recipe Creator:
For this recipe, I drew inspiration from a tartine I made over the summer that I loved. It had a nice mix of sweet and savory: cheese, figs, pistachios, a drizzle of honey and a sprinkling of fresh thyme. I thought, Why not put those flavors into a cookie? I added brown butter for a little more complexity—and also because it got me a win the year before! —Elizabeth Tittle, Garfield Heights, Ohio
17/17
Recipes
Pistachio Pudding Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
Everyone who’s ever tried this moist, one-of-a-kind pistachio pudding cake can’t believe it uses a mix. The dessert is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, and you won’t need the luck of the Irish to whip it up! —Suzanne Winkhart, Bolivar, Ohio
Recipes Pistachio Desserts FAQ
What can I make with a bunch of pistachios?
The best recipe for a bunch of pistachios is pistachio butter. With 2 cups of pistachios (plus a bit of oil, vanilla extract and salt), you can create 1 cup of pistachio butter. Swirl pistachio butter into cheesecakes, cheesecake bars or brownies, or use it as a nut butter swap in peanut butter dessert recipes. Turn pistachio butter into pistachio cream and it’s ready for all the viral Dubai chocolate desserts.
What flavors pair well with pistachios?
Flavors that pair well with pistachios are chocolate, cherries, apricots, vanilla, raspberries, cloves, olive oil, orange blossom water and pink peppercorns. Citrus is pleasant, too—particularly lemons and blood oranges. In Persian cuisine, pistachios are iconically paired with ingredients like rose water, saffron, cardamom and honey, creating desserts like baklava, nougats, a lovely version of rice pudding, ice cream and sorbet.
What are some popular pistachio desserts?
Popular pistachio desserts include pistachio gelato, pistachio cheesecake, cannolis, pistachio macarons, pistachio and fruit tarts, pistachio blondies and the viral Dubai chocolate bars. Pistachios have undergone a renaissance recently, inspiring new, exciting pistachio desserts that stray from the usual and traditional. Now you can find pistachio tiramisu, pistachio chocolate chip cookies, pistachio pastry cream in pate a choux desserts, and pistachio and olive oil snacking cakes.